On 30 May 2025, the third meeting of the Council for Commercialization and Social Relevance (CCSR) took place at the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (FFPW USB).
The opening speech was given by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Tomáš Policar, Ph.D., who presented the current state of the faculty, its main directions of research, university teaching, development of cooperation with production enterprises and visions for the future, which concern the social relevance of the faculty. He presented the activities of all key components of the Faculty: the Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology (RIFCH), the Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters (IAPW), the South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses CENAKVA and the International Environmental Educational, Advisory and Information Centre of Water Protection (IEEAIC / MEVPIS).
Special attention was also paid to the area of commercialization, which is an important part of the social relevance of the faculty. The topic was approached by Ing. Václav Nebeský, Ph.D., who presented the practical outputs of the faculty in this area. Significant activities include, for example, the sale of Omega3 carp to the MAKRO supermarket chain, the supply of faculty fish products to the Slevomat platform, or the development and sale of unique cosmetics based on gently sourced sturgeon caviar (Sturgeon Friendly Caviar).
This was followed by thematic presentations focusing on specific achievements and activities within individual research areas:
Prof. Vladimír Žlábek, Ph.D. - introduced the South Bohemian Research Centre for Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses CENAKVA as an open research centre providing scientific, service and educational services in the field of fisheries and water conservation to partners from all over the world.
Assoc. Prof. Jan Mráz, Ph.D. - presented company-wide and commercial activities in the field of aquaculture and fish processing.
Assoc. Prof. Martin Kocour, Ph.D. - presented technological innovations and practical applications in the field of fish reproduction and breeding.
Assoc. Prof. Hana Kocour Kroupová, Ph.D. - spoke about research and application activities focused on the protection of the aquatic environment.
During the CCSR meeting, there was also an expert discussion on further possibilities of developing commercialization and strengthening the social relevance of the FFPW USB.
The final part of the CCSR meeting offered the participants refreshments in the form of a buffet with tasting of fish specialties from the production of the faculty processing plant and the ‘Fish for Health’ shop.
The 3rd meeting of the Commercialization and Social Relevance Council of the FFPW USB was held in a very inspiring atmosphere and provided a valuable space for sharing knowledge, experience and suggestions for further development and cooperation among all participants.
At the end of the meeting, the Council members had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of selected operational and experimental sites of the FFPW USB and CENAKVA, including the Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Genetic Fisheries Center and the Experimental Fish Culture Facility.
